IBMT is a trade show for the conference, incentives, events, business travel and meetings industries. If you want to know more about this event, keep reading our interview.
Q&A with Kerry Prince
The event gathers meetings industry professionals, what is the participant profile?
ibtm world draws event professionals from across the globe, covering the entire meetings, events, conferences and incentives industry, including exhibitors, hosted buyers and event planners.
Exhibitors at ibtm world are suppliers to the meetings and incentives industry, whilst hosted and trade buyers are the senior decision makers with top level purchasing responsibility. 
Which sectors attend IBMT world?
As always, there will be an incredibly broad spread of exhibitors. This year, some 3,000 exhibiting companies representing over 150 countries will attend, ensuring a comprehensive offering for meetings and events planners. Exhibitors range from destinations and conference centres to technology companies and suppliers from across the industry.
As always, the quality of Hosted Buyers is extremely high, with representation from large worldwide corporations such as Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Gucci, Mars Incorporated and several high-profile Associations including The Optical Society, European Health Management Association, European Society of Ophthalmology and many more.
The event has a strong and successful 30-year history, what’s the secret of its success?
We have and always will put our customers first, ensuring they have the best possible experience at our events. As a brand, we’ve always looked at ways to innovate through every aspect of our business to ensure we remain ahead of the curve in terms of our offer and that we continue to deliver the very best service for our customers.
Both the Innovation Zone and Start-Up Pavilion are examples of this. The Innovation Zone offers attendees an interactive experience with the latest emerging technologies, demonstrating solutions, applications and technologies on specific meetings and events industry challenges.
In the Start-Up Pavilion, attendees can meet with an exciting mix of suppliers to discover and learn about new technologies and experiential solutions. It’s also a cost-effective opportunity for younger companies to gain exposure in the industry, and a real draw for our Hosted Buyers and trade visitors looking to experience and invest in the very latest event technology.
It’s through this constant innovation, that we’re completely committed to ensuring ibtm world retains its position as an unmissable event and continues to provide an inspirational platform for the meetings and events industry.
Could you highlight some conference activity for the exhibitors?
Our market-leading Knowledge Programme is a highlight of ibtm world and a major draw for our attendees. We’re delighted to have two keynote speakers of such high calibre leading our Knowledge Programme this year. Headlined by two globally-renowned keynote speakers, Dame Stella Rimington, author and former director general of the UK Security Service and Yancey Strickler, co-founder and CEO of Kickstarter, the world’s largest funding platform for creative projects, they will share invaluable insights and learnings from their highly successful careers, directly relevant to some of the industry’s hottest topics and most debated issues.
The full programme is focused on seven topical themes, including industry trends; engagement and experiences; safety, security and risk management; innovation, disruption and technology, to provide learnings that can add business value.
We’ll also be welcoming all our attendees to the full programme of networking events, including our 80s themed Welcome Party to celebrate the event’s 30th anniversary, and the Networking hour, where exhibitors will showcase their countries’ culture through music and food on the event floor.
I have no doubt that attendees will walk away from the event with tangible learnings and connections that will help to ensure their business flourishes.
IBMT world is partnering with ICCA to produce the Forum for Young Professionals, how does this collaboration contribute to the event?
Opening on the eve of ibtm world 2017, the forum gathers 35 young event professionals for a three-day long programme of educational sessions, networking, social activities and guidance from some of the industry’s most influential professionals. Delegates benefit from gaining deeper understanding of the different industry sectors, strengthen their connections and network with peers and industry leaders from across the globe, and gain experience of working on multi-cultural and buyer-supplier teams.
As a brand we are committed to investing in the future of our industry and we strongly value our 11-year long partnership with ICCA to deliver the Forum for Young Professionals. The theme of this year’s forum – ‘The future is here, the future is you!’ aligns perfectly with our programme for ibtm world 2017 – as we continue to work together with our partners, including ICCA to inspire and invest in the future of our industry.
How can you apply to exhibit or attend?
Both exhibitors and attendees can register or book for ibtm world through our website.
Lastly, can you give us some participation results from the last edition?
In 2016, almost 15,000 delegates attended ibtm world and over 67,000 pre-scheduled meetings were arranged over the three-day show. It was a very successful event and we’re excited to see what this year brings.